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Shambhu Acharya is Nepal’s candidate for regional director of the WHO-South-East Asia Region. He has more than three decades of national and international experience in policy and strategy development and analysis, policy dialogue, technical advice and program management support to various countries and WHO country offices. Sabitri Dhakal of ApEx talked with him about his nomination and plans for the region if elected.

Why do you feel like the right candidate for this job?

I have the honor to be nominated to be the candidate for regional director of the World Health Organization East Asia Region and this is something very important and I can do a lot in the region as a leader of the region. This is a position that is going to be elected by 11 member countries of the South East Asia Region and this is a Member State driven process. I feel that I have the right profile based on my long experience, my public health background and the wide range of public health work I have done throughout my professional career. I believe that it makes me the best fit for the regional director and I am looking forward to being elected and then working with the 11 Member States in terms of improving the health services and ensuring health and well-being of people of the member states.

This region is home to one fourth of the world although the countries are small in number. 

It has a number of opportunities and challenges. There are health challenges because it still has problems with some communicable diseases, tropical diseases, poverty related diseases and now because of the economic growth and advancement in countries in the region it is also facing non communicable diseases challenges. The region also has opportunities because they have talented youths and are leading the cutting-edge technology innovation and digitization process that can be used for improving health services especially those who are left behind. The region has great capacity in terms of producing, manufacturing generic medicines, diagnostics and kits and supplies and often the region is called global factory of producing general medicines since it has shared for instance vaccines, generic HIV TB medicines with other countries for those who really can’t afford. 

If elected, what is your vision?

This region has great opportunities, and it has achieved substantial gains in health. Of course, Covid-19 pandemic has dampened a bit but now the speed is again scaling up in terms of improving health services. For me, I want to see this region as a healthy region. I would like to work together with member states to ensure that everyone has access to health services, the quality health services that they need regardless of where they live, who they are, what kinds of income they have and who they are in terms of their identity. I have outlined five strategies to implement if I am elected as Regional Director. 

One is about promoting health in the overall development and through the whole of government and society approaches involving communities, involving individuals to make sure that they understand the importance of health and every citizen can take care of their own health to ensure health and well-being of the population in the region.

The second is about the resilient health system. Some of the countries are far ahead and some of the countries need to move forward. I would like to accompany member states’ efforts towards a resilient health system which is based on primary health care that includes preparedness, primary prevention, and treatment of NCDs and is right based, gender sensitive and fosters equity. Because primary health care should be the foundation of universal health coverage to achieve Health for All.

The third is about protecting people from different kinds of emergencies whether it is humanitarian emergencies like conflicts, environmental like earthquakes, or floods or kind of climate change or public health emergencies meaning any outbreaks such as recent dengue outbreaks, epidemics or pandemic like the recent Covid-19 pandemic. My goal will be to work with member states to protect people from emergencies and respond when needed.

The fourth one is about looking into the innovation and digitization of health. In the 21st century we need to be able to make best use of the new technology and innovations to improve the health services especially to those who are left behind by bringing the health closer to the people through telemedicine, mobile health, digital health and using a number of low-cost innovations for improving health services. The other aspect I can bring is the data lake using advanced technology which can provide integrated reliable data for policy and decision making.

The fifth one is about climate change and health. Climate change has adverse consequences for health. You can see recent flooding in Nepal and India, the melting of glaciers, and rising sea levels. Because of the high temperature, a number of viruses are emerging in the world. This is an important issue now. The climate crisis is contributing to the health crisis. I want to say that our Member States are also affected by this. Member States in the region have made it a priority and I would like to work with together with them to address this important priority.

What are your experiences?

After graduation, I looked for and found a job in Family Planning Association Nepal which gave me an understanding of basic public health. I had the opportunities to visit many remote parts of Nepal, interact with communities and understand their health issues and problems and that’s my basic foundation of public health and that gave me a lot of learning in terms of what do we really need to look at if we want to develop health plans or health policies or health programs and that those policies, programs should be based on the needs of the population. In my view that is the core of the public health setting. That’s my starter. I was then fascinated by the public health and then this people to people connection that I had when I visited number of communities I wanted to go and study public health and went to the US, did my PhD and then had the opportunity to work with the World Bank in the health, nutrition and population division and was able to formulate the projects and proposals for the World Bank and then I moved to the WHO. I have got several positions in WHO in wide range of public health over the period of 30 years and at the country level, regional level and also at headquarters level and the breadth of experience I have I worked as a leader, manager, technical advisor, specialist, public health officer. 

So, if I look back, my whole experience from where I started from family planning till the day today, I am here working as the Director of Country Strategy and Support under the office of the Director General Dr Tedros where I also had the opportunity to really engage in Covid-19 pandemic response and led the publication of about 70 country case studies: WHO’s response to Covid-19 pandemic. I feel like I am the best for Regional Director as I have substance experience in every aspect whether it is management, technical, leadership, diplomacy, strategic thinking and political astuteness. All these vast experiences that I have with all kinds of sets I think is something that is required for the post of regional director as well. That’s why I feel I am the right candidate to be able to lead the WHO Regional Office for the South East Asia Region.

Tell us about your background.

I come from the ground. I am an ordinary Nepali. I am an ordinary citizen. When I grew up, I grew up in a village called Bhutuka in Palpa district in western Nepal. There I went to high school. I used to walk 45 minutes one way to go to school and we went there in slippers. Sometimes there was rain. I was scared of getting my slippers torn so I used to put my slippers on my shoulders and walk to school barefoot. Those days there were no health care centers there. So, I understand the challenges that people face, particularly those who don’t have that facility and those who are left behind and those who don’t have access to the health services. What goes on with them? That’s what motivates me to lead the regional office. I am a very humble person, but I am assertive in terms of programs, and I have worked for 30 years, and I have about 25 years I think supervisory work. In the last 25 years my management style, my leadership style has always been appreciated as a humble and assertive leader/manager somebody who really brings team together, somebody who really empowers team, works together and somebody who doesn’t believe in hierarchy and somebody who really appreciates or encourages or fosters free thinking to bring innovative ideas. I am someone of a farmer and from a middle-class family.

Even now I am like everyone else. I don’t see any difference. To be able to lead we must always be connected to the ground with people. So, whatever I do, whenever I am in a position I always like to get connected with people because that’s the only way we understand what the needs are and how we can respond to the needs. Even if I am in Geneva right now, I want to connect with people. As Director of Country strategy and Support overseeing 152 WHO country offices on behalf of the director general. I get connected regularly with country team whether I have any agenda or not. Even if I don’t have agenda, I try to contact them and just to understand how things are, are there any issues, any problems how the country office is dealing with the Member States and what are the issues and challenges of Member states and how can WHO better respond to any challenges. That’s the kind of person I am. I am a kind of people’s person.

How will Nepal benefit from the position?

At this stage, I don’t think I can say anything Nepal can benefit but the region will benefit as a who because I can bring my knowledge, my expertise, my competencies based on my national, regional, global experience into the region, and I think I am probably the one of few who has this kind of broad three level experience. The second is about what I want once I am the regional director. I want to bring three levels of WHO together as one organization to make sure that the headquarters’ capacity, region’s capacity and country’s capacity together can synergistically better respond to the needs of the Member States.

Third is about my association of different global partners, donors. I would see that the resources in the health sector require more documentation or enhancement, something that I can help to the region. Mostly these regions have done fairly well in health, but I think the domestic investment can still be improved for health. So, I would work with member states in the region to encourage them to increase domestic investment at the same time where there are gaps, I will bring the international community, different bilateral, multilateral agencies as well as funds of foundation to fill in the gaps.

I believe I can better draw the strategy and plans of the regional office for the next five years together with the Member States by learning or listening to the Member States’ needs. I will be able to bring much robust strategies that can be effectively supporting the Member States in the region and I being a Nepali will keep Nepal in my heart and to see what I can add value being a regional direction during my tenure.

Pankaj Jalan is the chairman of Lord Buddha Education Foundation (LBEF), Nepal’s first IT college. He also serves on the executive board of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce. Babita Shrestha from ApEx spoke with him on encouraging professional development for the student community’s growth and success. Excerpts.

How is LBEF developing highly qualified individuals for future growth?

When we first started this institution, education for all was our main priority, allowing Nepalis to acquire technical training at an affordable cost. Our present focus is on encouraging students to learn new advanced skills and creating stable employment for them in order to keep them working as professionals in Nepal. 

Would you please give us an overview of the variety of professional programs and the college’s integrated curriculum for theoretical knowledge and practical skills?

Since we are Nepal’s first IT college, we are primarily concerned with IT education. Besides, we also offer managerial training. LBEF provides both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. At our college, the delivery method differs slightly from what the other institutions are providing. We are associated with the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU), a Malaysian institution, and we adhere to their curriculum. They follow Industry 4.0 curriculum, an outcome-based learning, which is only practiced by our institution in Nepal. 

The other important factor is our university believes in continual evaluation. Students are evaluated for 15 days once every ten years. In order to keep students engaged with the course curriculum, internal assessment and assignment are taken into account for their final evaluation. Assignments, group presentations, skill tests of all kinds in various formats for each subject, and group discussions have all been a part of the students’ work. Additionally, to improve students’ performance, the university is granting access to the ten online libraries.

How does the college help students beyond academic instruction? 

Firstly, we have a placement cell here, which unquestionably guarantees that the students will have an internship. To familiarize students with the job market, we also conduct regular guest lectures from different companies.  We host a placement day every six months where 30-35 firms are invited for counseling and placement. Every student in our institution is required to do a four-month rigorous internship as part of our curriculum. Later on, they even have the opportunity to get employed. 

Can you share the success stories of recent graduates? How does the college engage with its alumni to foster a strong professional network?

According to our data, this college has produced more than 130 CEOs across the globe. Not only CEOs, we have also produced DIGs in the Nepal Police who specialize in computer science and many other technical fields. Until now we have celebrated three alumni meets and now we are planning to celebrate every year. We have appointed six alumni from different countries. I think our students can also benefit from these alumni networks.  On the 25th year of our celebration on September 10, we are planning to publish an alumni directory.

Currently, it seems that the majority of students are having trouble deciding on a career. Most students are entering the IT field without having the right ideas. What is your suggestion to such students?

The students today are going after the trend and pursuing degrees that are simpler to complete. They don’t seem to make an effort to enhance their skills. For that, I’d like to advise them to do some research on the subject to understand the market and prospects. A survey by the American government found that 70 percent of jobs are in this field. Everyone anticipates job prospects to be wider, as the world becomes more dependent on IT, which is true. This industry is expanding and its wider prospect is definitely the reason behind students entering the IT field. 

We frequently hear that the exponential advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) will be a threat to numerous IT jobs. What are your thoughts on this matter?

Technology will continue to advance. From our homes, offices, and hospitals, we can see technology practically everywhere. Although some jobs must have been affected by AI, it is  unlikely to replace IT, as AI’s system is guided by it. AI is here to make life easier and I believe it will open more doors for IT engineers in the field. Such assertions are incorrect, in my opinion, as monitoring and execution need IT personnels.

The IT sector is escalating, so are the number of colleges. Being the first ever IT college in Nepal, what is the situation of enrolment?

Of course, the market evolves with time. In the past, there would be lines of students waiting to enrol, but things drastically altered after 2015. For students to choose the IT industry back then, they had to have a science background. We were the pioneer to change that trend and now even management students can go for IT courses. Although the number of establishments has increased, the curriculum and courses continue to lag behind in terms of advanced education in many institutions. Additionally, educational institutions are now becoming a business market. So it’s high time the government monitored  such institutions. Also, the existing institutions have to be proactive and grow with time with a skill testing approach and new initiatives.

With the start of the Russia-Ukraine war last year, the global situation has also changed drastically. Geopolitical tensions are rising and there is a legitimate threat of global energy and food crises. After the war, there has been a lot of discussion regarding Nepal’s formal position as well. In this context, ApEx talked to Russian Ambassador Aleksei Novikov on a host of global and Nepal-Russia relations. Excerpts.

1. After the Russia-Ukraine war, global security is becoming increasingly complex and uncertain. Geopolitical rivalries, nuclear proliferation, food security and financial crises raise questions about our ability to maintain stability. What is your take on it ? 

The subject matter of this issue is rather complex; however, there are a few clear reasons why global security is threatened nowadays.  Firstly, the very possibility of the dominance of one country, or let’s say, a group of particular states must disappear. I strongly believe that a truly democratic world must be multipolar and shall be based on generally recognized international legal norms, primarily the principles of the UN charter. Secondly, those who ignore these principles are not embarrassed by the fact that their actions are creating new risks, undermining supply chains as well as food and energy security. For example, the number of countries headed by the US who try to “contain Russia” and flood the Kiev regime with weapons is provoking the risk of spreading weapons around the world, which may lead to an outburst of international terrorism. Everyone should learn that every action has its consequences. We believe it is important that the UN, which has of late been fairly quiet in this regard, should act proactively and step up its efforts in fighting global threats without the double standards.

2. Since you mentioned energy security, how can we address this issue ?

Energy prices have risen consistently over the past year and a half, which Western leaders purposefully keep silent about. This was the result of the policy of the central banks of the United States, Great Britain, EU states to print unsecured funds. An increase in the money supply naturally caused inflation. Price hikes were also triggered by disruptions in supply chains due to the coronavirus lockdowns in various parts of the world. The surge in fuel prices was provoked by the attempts of the West to unleash a trade and sanctions war against Russia. Europe has created a deficit in the market with its own hands, stopping the purchase of Russian oil and gas, as well as seriously complicating their transportation to third countries. Replacing Russian fuel, the Old World began to buy it from the markets of Asia and Africa, thereby giving impetus to prices. Thus, the rise in fuel prices is in no way caused by Russia's actions. Moreover, Russia tried to contribute to the normalization of the market situation by supplying oil to friendly countries at a 20-30 percent discount.

3. What about the global food crisis?  

According to the FAO, the Russian Federation is one of the largest food producers in the world, it is a significant net exporter of agricultural products. For instance, in 2022, Russia harvested a record grain crop of 158 million tons, exported 70 million tons of agricultural products and food (cereals, oils, fish and seafood, etc.) to 160 countries of the world. As of today, every fifth export batch of wheat in the world is of Russian origin. The Russian Federation consistently advocates ensuring the activities of the FAO strictly within its mandate and without politicization. Solving the problem of food security and nutrition for all is possible only through the coherent and collective efforts of the entire international community. In the agricultural season 2023/24, Russian farmers plan to harvest at least 123 million tons of grain; half of it will be exported. In addition, the FAO confirms that the Russian Federation is one of the leading exporters of fertilizers, the largest in terms of the mineral ones. We are also the world's leading producer of other types of fertilizers, with up to 70 percent of the Russian exported fertilizers going to the developing countries of the Global South.

There have been many accusations of Russia blocking 20 million tonnes of grains in Ukrainian storage facilities, but the harsh reality of that issue is that the poorest countries are actually being held hostage to the EU and Washington’s ambitions. For the EU, food security problems are a side effect of anti-Russia policies and Western attempts to protect its self-serving “rules-based order.”

The projects to export agricultural products from Ukraine, including through EU’s so-called solidarity corridors, proved to be a humanitarian sham. Fodder corn, not wheat, became the main export in this scheme. It is the EU that needs this commodity more than others, and became the main recipient of these shipments (only 3 percent of the Ukrainian part of the “Black Sea Initiative” went to the poorest countries). The Russian part of the “package” had not been implemented at all.

4. What is your take on Nepal’s decision to vote against Russia in UN voting on Russia-Ukraine conflict?

Russia considers Nepal a friendly state and we deeply respect its people, leadership and rich history. As you know, this year marks the 67th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our countries and I am very happy to state that since 1956, our cooperation has been built on the basis of mutual respect, trust and concern for each other's interests.  However, some aspects of Nepal’s diplomacy seem to have changed. We got used to seeing Nepal as one of the most outstanding leaders of the non-alignment movement and the strong follower of neutral international policy. Not just Russia, but the whole world admired how perfectly Nepal implemented the Pancha Shila philosophy in its external policy. Nevertheless, the way Nepal supported confrontational anti-Russian resolutions during the UN 11th emergency special session does not contribute neither to relations with Russia, nor to the traditional Nepali approach in the international organizations. I sincerely admire the Nepali people, their honesty and optimistic attitude. Many of them told me that they supported and cheered Russia and its culture. During our conversations, literally everybody said how thankful they were for all the support that the USSR had provided Nepal with. And this makes me happy. I believe that we have many things in common. As we look forward, we remain committed to strengthening the ties between the peoples and governments of Russia and Nepal, to celebrating our shared history and achievements.

5. Out of this perspective, how can Nepal and Russia work on the regional and international platforms?

The legal framework of the bilateral partnership consists of the number of existing agreements. Both Russia and Nepal are guided mainly by traditional multilateral international acts, primarily UN documents. Over the past years and decades, enormous changes have taken place in our countries and in the world. But the feelings of sympathy between the two peoples and the desire to deepen multifaceted bilateral cooperation have not changed. Our relations have a mutually beneficial ground and all the joint international efforts must be based on that principle. We have no tensions, our ties remain friendly despite all the efforts to spoil them. And answering your question, I would like to point out that all the future prospects of cooperation in the regional and international platforms shall stick to the same attitude as before—trust and support without relying on those who wish to draw our nations apart.

6. Lastly, what are the new initiatives that Russia is taking to enhance bilateral ties including resuming flights between two countries?

First of all, Russia and Nepal are developing cooperation in infrastructure and railway construction. This August I had a wonderful opportunity to negotiate with Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala. Besides that, we maintain active contacts with the leadership of the Nepali railway industry. During the talks, the Nepali side expressed its interest in attracting RZD International and other Russian companies for the construction of the Pokhara-Ridi road, East-West railway, as well as a project to build a light metro in Kathmandu. We are also working closely with the Nepali friends in hydro energy development, having preliminary agreements on the possible participation of a Russian state company “Inter RAO” in the implementation of four projects for the construction of hydroelectric power plants in the Himalayan republic with a capacity of 300 MW or more. We believe that Nepal is interested in developing cooperation in the field of electricity generation and its export.

Agriculture continues to be one of the most promising areas of cooperation between Russia and Nepal. There have been many meetings with the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development that contributed to the active development of contacts in this field. The prospects of Russian-Nepali cooperation in agriculture, in particular, the supply of chemical fertilizers were on the agenda. We are actively exploring the possibility of joint construction of a plant for the production of chemical fertilizers in Nepal and we hope Russian farmers will shortly visit Nepal to explore the possibility of creating greenhouse complexes, including their construction in high-altitude areas. Training programs for Nepali specialists in Russia and study opportunities for Nepali students in Russian agricultural universities are discussed as well. 

Today young people from Nepal have the opportunity to receive free scholarships to study in Russia. Moreover the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia already expressed its readiness to increase the number of positions for Nepali nationals to study in various programs and specialties (including medicine and IT) in the Russian educational institutions within quota of the Russian Government for 2024/25 academic year. And of course, establishing the direct flights between Kathmandu and Moscow is of essential importance to us. Such a measure would contribute to strengthening cooperation in all areas. 

New rules for helicopter operations introduced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) have made significant impacts in Karnali Province. There are fears that restriction in helicopter flight operations after noon, ban on movement of cargo using sling, and requirement of obtaining flight permit from CAAN instead of airports will affect transportation of goods to Karnali and rescue operations. Bishna Prasad Sharma of ApEx talked to Karnali Province Chief Minister Raj Kumar Sharma on these new rules and other aspects of the province government. Excerpts:

What are the priorities of the Karnali Province government?

The priorities of the Karnali Province government revolve around the effective implementation of policies and programs, as well as the budget. The provincial government has been actively working towards the implementation of approved policies and programs, reviewing past experiences, and engaging with relevant ministries and agencies for the successful execution of the new budget. The province government has passed the Karnali Training Institute Bill and is working on its implementation. Similarly, the Sport Bill, Civil Servant Bill, Provincial Police Bill, and Dalit Rights Bill have been drafted. The focus also lies on addressing issues related to federalism, including financial, administrative, and legal aspects, in order to overcome challenges and uplift the province from its current multifaceted poverty.

Do you think the people could feel the implementation of federalism in Karnali Province?

While the concept of federalism is enshrined in the constitution, the implementation of true federalism, encompassing financial, administrative, and legal dimensions, is still a work in progress. The Karnali Province, in particular, has faced challenges in fully experiencing the benefits of federalism. Despite the aspirations for a decentralized governance structure, challenges remain, and the province is still grappling with multifaceted poverty and neglect, requiring further efforts to bridge the gap and ensure the effective implementation of federalism.

How does the Karnali Province government plan to address the slow spending of the development budget?

The Karnali Province government is dedicated to accelerating development, job creation, and effective budget utilization. The slow spending of the development budget is attributed to various factors, including the lack of financial, administrative, and legal federalism. The interference of vested interests, such as the medical, land, educational, and contractor mafias, has also contributed to delays. The province recognizes the need for a robust legal system and adequate manpower to address these issues promptly. By improving administrative aspects, enhancing legal frameworks, and ensuring sufficient human resources, the government aims to expedite budget spending and promote timely completion of projects.

How does the Karnali Province government plan to enhance rescue mechanisms and address geographical difficulties?

The Karnali Province government is committed to addressing both preventive measures and effective rescue mechanisms in the face of geographical challenges and accidents. While accidents are a concern, the province emphasizes the importance of liberating its people from poverty and hardship through proactive measures. Initiatives include upgrading lifelines such as the Bheri Corridor, Karnali Highway, and Rapti Highway, as well as implementing immediate rescue operations through aircraft, helicopters, and other means. The government acknowledges the need for reliable air services and discussions have been held to improve air transportation. We also have plans to promote electric vehicles.

The government has imposed a rule prohibiting flights in remote areas after noon. What are your thoughts on this decision and its potential impact?

The government’s decision to restrict flights in remote areas after noon raises significant concerns. Accidents and emergencies can occur at any time. The decision to limit flights based on time without consulting relevant stakeholders, including us, is worrying. It is essential that decisions of this nature are made through collaborative discussions. I intend to address this matter with the relevant authorities and engage in further conversations. Flight schedules should be determined based on weather conditions rather than fixed times, as safety should always take precedence. Up until now, flights were permitted after 12 o'clock, and Karnali has not experienced any significant accidents in this regard. I will work diligently to resolve this issue through earnest discussions with the appropriate authorities.

How might this rule impact the transportation of essential goods, such as food and building materials, in Karnali?

Undoubtedly, this rule will have adverse effects on the transportation of essential goods in Karnali. Not all districts within the province have convenient transportation access. Even in areas with transportation facilities, certain types of construction materials cannot be efficiently transported via road. This is particularly true for remote districts like Humla and Dolpa, where air service is a necessity for transporting various items. It is crucial that air service availability is contingent on weather conditions rather than fixed timings, to ensure that the vital needs of the people are met without disruption.

For the last many years, goods have been transported to Humla using helicopters from Sallisalla to Kharpunath. Restricting takeoffs solely from airports will significantly impede these operations. Transportation options should be accessible and affordable, irrespective of location, and this matter demands careful consideration.

Could such regulations force Karnali’s residents to rely more heavily on Tibet for essential goods?

While it’s true that some residents of certain areas, like parts of Humla and Dolpa, have historically relied on Tibet for daily necessities, Karnali as a whole is not currently dependent on Tibet.

The restriction on helicopters for sling operations has been introduced. What might be the implications of this decision?

The decision to prohibit helicopters from conducting sling operations raises questions about its rationale. If there are safety concerns, it is worth noting that helicopters have previously conducted heavy-load operations without issue. This decision warrants further examination, and I am committed to engaging with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to better understand the reasoning behind this rule. The safety of both the crew and passengers must remain a priority, but a well-informed and collaborative approach is essential to ensure that decisions made do not compromise crucial services and operations.

Flight permits, which were previously obtained at airports, now require clearance from CAAN. Could this potentially delay rescue efforts?

The transition from obtaining flight permits at airports to obtaining them from CAAN could indeed introduce delays in rescue efforts. The bureaucracy involved in this process may impede swift action, which is particularly concerning in emergency situations. As we uphold the principles of federalism, it is essential that decision-making authority is also extended to provincial levels. Alternatively, establishing provincial offices within the regulatory body could help facilitate smoother and faster clearance processes.

The government has imposed VAT on air tickets. Could this lead to increased flight costs for travel to Karnali?

The recent imposition of VAT on air tickets raises concerns about potential cost increases for flights to Karnali. It is important to thoroughly examine the reasons behind this decision. While the state's right to levy taxes is acknowledged, it is equally crucial to consider the impact on rural populations. People living in remote areas should not be burdened with excessive financial strain. Any taxation measures should be thoughtfully implemented, taking into account the financial capacities of the population. These concerns will be addressed through discussions with higher authorities, ensuring that the interests of the people are safeguarded.

How is the Karnali Province government working to create jobs and address poverty?

The Karnali Province government recognizes poverty as a significant challenge and is actively working towards its alleviation through various strategies. The province's policy and program emphasize key areas, including education, health, employment, good governance, and infrastructure. Job creation and self-employment are central to these efforts. The province is prioritizing industries related to agriculture and forest production and focusing on commercial agriculture and entrepreneurship. The protection and utilization of indigenous crops and natural resources are also part of the plan. The government aims to create employment and self-employment opportunities for 10,000 people annually, contributing to poverty reduction and economic growth in the region. The implementation of federalism is viewed as crucial in achieving these goals.